Deportation

Deportation

The Government of Seychelles recognises that it is the right of every country to remove persons deemed undesirable to reside in their territory. The primary reasons for deportation include:

criminal activities,

certain types of misdemeanours,

overstaying of visas or entry permits,

and other practices which may be deemed unacceptable in those countries.

The Government of Seychelles is obligated to accept Seychellois nationals who have been deported. As such the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in partnership with the Immigration and Civil Status Department provides assistance to Seychellois prior to their departure from the country in which they are ordered to be deported.

Consular officers in the Seychelles Embassies, High Commissions and consulates offer non-judgmental and practical support as follows:

Issue you a travel document to facilitate travel to Seychelles if your passport is unavailable, once you have been verified as a Seychellois citizen

Assist you to get information about detention or deportation arrangements

Provide contacts for English-speaking lawyers

Ensure that you are afforded due process as allowed under the laws of the country from which you are to be deported (e.g., that you get all your appeals heard)

Provide your family with information regarding the deportation such as legal arrangements in the country from which you will be deported

Assist you to maintain contact with your family and arrange for funds

Ensure that you are not discriminated against as a foreign citizen

Ensure that you have a place to stay once you arrive in Seychelles (temporary shelters arranged through NGOs, if you have no relatives willing to take you in)

What Consular Officers cannot do

We cannot refuse to accept you back in Seychelles once you are ordered deported and once you have been verified to be a Seychellois citizen

We cannot intervene in the legal process or with the local authorities to get the decision overturned

We cannot pay for legal defence to appeal your case or provide legal advice

Not denied access to a Seychellois Consular Officer, his/her lawyers and those who have a legitimate right to have access to him/her.

Not denied legal aid to which he/she may be entitled to under the local laws.

What can our Consular Officer assist in?

Notify the family of the detention or arrest and provide details made available by the local authorities.

Obtain information about the status of the case.

Assist in obtaining information on the local judicial and prison systems.

Provide the Seychellois citizen and his/her family with a list of local lawyers, if available.

Assist in arranging prison visits for the family.

Arrange for consular visits to the detained or imprisoned Seychellois, provided that there is a mission in that country.

Facilitate the transfer of funds to the detained person if other means are unavailable (only if such remittance is permitted by prison authorities).

Ensure that medical problems, if any, are brought to the attention of the prison authorities.

Address any justified complaint about ill treatment or alleged discrimination with the prison authorities.

Facilitate repatriation or deportation of the Seychellois, after his/her release.

What can our Consular Officer not assist in?

Pay the medical, hospital, legal, accommodation, travel or other bills.

Provide loans or cash cheques.

Post bails or pay fines on behalf of the Seychellois.

Intervene in the judicial process of a foreign country or ignore local laws.

Intervene in or act as an intermediary in disputes which are civil or commercial nature.

Provide legal advice or initiate court proceedings on behalf of the Seychellois.

Act as the Seychellois’ guarantor or sponsor.

Arrange accommodation or employment.

Provide translation, mail-forwarding, telephone, fax or other personal services.

Preventing your removal once you have been ordered deported.